Kathmandu: A government-led discussion on the new “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Concept Paper” in Nepal has brought to light significant concerns among experts and stakeholders, particularly around data privacy and federal role clarity. The Computer Association of Nepal (CAN Federation) hosted the event yesterday, gathering academics, IT professionals, lawyers, and digital rights activists to debate the paper’s content and implications.
While stakeholders acknowledged the potential of AI to transform industries, they criticized the concept paper for failing to address critical issues related to data protection, which they view as essential for AI implementation. Dr. Bhojraj Ghimire, Head of the School of Technology at Nepal Open University, pointed out that the paper is largely theoretical and lacks detailed guidance on data standardization, data sharing protocols, and privacy safeguards. He warned that these omissions could undermine public trust in AI systems.
Echoing this sentiment, Sanjina Chhetri of Digital Rights Nepal highlighted the absence of concrete provisions for data privacy. “The concept paper does not adequately address data protection, nor does it delineate roles for federal, provincial, and local governments, which is crucial given Nepal’s federal structure,” Chhetri stated.
Additionally, Pravesh Subedi of the Digital Media Foundation questioned the proposed oversight structure, arguing that placing AI regulation solely under the Ministry of Communications could lead to jurisdictional conflicts and an oversight monopoly that might hinder sectoral cooperation. He emphasized the need for a multi-ministerial approach that respects the diversity of Nepal’s federal framework.
Concerns were also raised about the potential misalignment in AI policy direction. Former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police, Rajiv Subba, drew parallels to the Electronic Transaction Act, originally meant to support e-commerce but later co-opted for cybercrime regulation. “We risk repeating past mistakes if the AI policy isn’t properly aligned from the outset,” he cautioned.
In response to these discussions, CAN has formed a committee to compile a report with recommendations. Led by Dr. Sudan Jha of Kathmandu University, the report will be submitted to the government in hopes of addressing these critical gaps. CAN Secretary General Chiranjivi Adhikari emphasized, “Our goal is to ensure that this report influences policy development and that the government takes our recommendations seriously.”
The discussion has underscored the need for a robust framework that not only fosters AI innovation but also safeguards individual rights and maintains transparency across all levels of government.
